Boyfriend Scarf

Boyfriend Scarf

I’ve never knit anything for a boy before, especially one that I’ve been dating. I think it’s because of the “Boyfriend Sweater Curse” – I didn’t want this to be a scarf that would end our relationship or something silly like that. 

What prompted the idea to knit him a scarf was the topcoat he bought to wear to with his suits this winter: the coat didn’t button all the way up and required a scarf to stay warm.  I knew that if I wanted to guarantee that he would wear it, the scarf needed to be a “manly” scarf.  And what could be more “manly” than charcoal gray and a thermal-like stitch pattern?

Boyfriend Scarf

The best part?  On days when it’s colder than he thought, he gets upset that he left his scarf at home since he said it keeps him nice and warm.

Boyfriend

MATERIALS:
Yarn
2 skeins Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick-N-Quick – Charcoal

Needles
US 15 straight needles

Notions
Tapestry needle

Gauge
2 sts = 1″

DIRECTIONS:
CO 20 sts

Thermal Stitch Pattern 
Row 1: K
Row 2: K

Row 3: K 2, P 2

Row 4: K 2, P 2

Continue in pattern until scarf is 58″ or to desired length.  BO and weave in loose ends.

Boyfriend Scarf

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Early Fall 2011 Review: Vogue Patterns

I received an email in my inbox the other day from Vogue Patterns about their new “early fall” collection, so I thought I’d take a gander and see what I wanted to add to my fall sewing list. Not much, as usual, since fall patterns don’t inspire me to sew as much as spring and summer ones do.


Description: Flared, with waist facing, side seam pockets

This skirt is reminiscent of a wool Lands’ End Canvas skirt that I bought for work last year, and it is easily my favorite skirt in my wardrobe for fall/winter (although a little on the short side for work…I always pair it with tights and boots). I love circle skirts since they are flattering on my figure and make it look like I actually have a waist! This skirt is simple enough and classic, which are two requirements on my “to sew” list. Check!


Vogue 8747 Misses Shirt

Description: Fitted. A, B, C, & D cups

After reading an article in the September issue of Threads Magazine about altering and embellishing button-down shirts, I want to apply some of those techniques to this pattern. I love that the pattern is part of their “Custom Fit” line of patterns, meaning that I’ll be able to fit my bust, my biggest pattern fitting problem. Love the ruching too, it takes it from a boring button-down shirt to something with a little more style.


Vogue 1252 Tracy Reese Dress

Description: Lined dress has close-fitting bodice and side front in-seam pockets

Not too sure about this one…I’ll probably wait until some other adventurous sewists stitch up this dress and review it before I make it. The print in the picture above really takes away from the interesting neckline and gathering details around the bodice that are visible in the line drawing, which really sold me the design. I also really liked the Tracy Reese dress I just finished (working on another as I’m typing this), so I wanted to give another one of her designs a try. But like I said, I’ll see how others do first…this would be a nice addition to my fall closet though. I bet it would look super cute with boots!
Not really much else that grabbed my attention from Vogue for this early fall collection. I’m hoping that their next collection will have more garments that strike my interest.
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Next Sewing Project – Amy Butler Sophia Carryall

Since I had so much success with my previous Amy Butler bag, I’m going to give another go at one of her patterns. I think her Sophia bag has such a cute, retro shape and would look great in a print from Free Spirit fabrics or maybe on of Amy Butler’s prints.

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Vogue’s Fall Patterns are Up!

Lots of pretty suits and separates seem to scream “fall” at Vogue. I like the looks for the most part, even though there aren’t a whole lot of patterns jumping out at me and saying “make me!” I do have to question one or two selections:


and

Um….what???

View the new patterns here. Really, they’re not as atrocious as the patterns above.

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Patterns Galore

It was a pretty slow Saturday and Sunday this weekend. But I did get to add some new patterns to my stash. If you can’t tell based on the patterns I bought below, JoAnn’s had a sale on Butterick patterns this weekend.


Before I jump feet first into my coat for the Great Coat Sew-Along, I figured this would be a good warm-up. I’m thinking view A would make a cute fall jacket, for the weather between the transition from trench coat to pea coat. Some orange or green wool from Gorgeous Fabrics, perhaps? Or maybe a plaid, which is supposed to be super big for fall/winter.

This just seemed like a classic blazer pattern to have on hand. I’ve inherited some turquoise green corduroy that I might play around with for this jacket, but it’s really a matter of getting the pattern to fit properly before I can even decide what fabric to use. It would also make a good work jacket.


I’ve wanted this pattern for a while. I think I have a good shot at getting the fit right since the bust shaping consists of gathers underneath the buntline. It will be just a matter of taking those in a bit, if at all, to get the bodice to fit properly. Another good work wardrobe builder.

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